This week's question was emailed to me by forum member Little Lizard, who has taken barely a single rest day in years. She reckons gym work is enough of a rest for her legs, but could she be overdoing it and storing up trouble for the future

are preparing for a camp should mean that you maintain or increase your training before the camp, but you should not be tired before you start. The object is to use the time as efficiently as possible, so you will train more intensely on a five-day camp than you

comfortably achieve that target with about six weeks of concerted preparation. Your first step should be to establish a benchmark average pace per mile on which to base the speed sessions. On a day when you feel rested, test yourself by running one and a half

is crucial, so be patient in the first weeks. And if it becomes too hard, don’t be afraid to repeat a week or two.If you can already jog for 30 minutes at a time, start on Week 3.Week OneDay 1Walk 10 mins, then walk/jog 10, then walk 10Day 2RestDay 3Repeat

30-min run at marathon pace Rest 2 x 1M session, timed 15-min run 1 hour inc 30 mins at marathon pace Week 16 20 mins easy Rest 30 mins easy, inc a few strides Rest Rest 20 mins jogging, in racing kit RACE DAY

  WEEK ONE WEEK TWO WEEK THREE WEEK FOUR Mon Rest Day Rest Day Rest Day Rest Day Tue SWIM for 30 minutes easy SWIM for 30 minutes easy SWIM for 20 minutes easy SWIM for 20 minutes easy

Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times Fri Rest Sat Rest Sun 5K Race! On race day: You will probably find that you can run at least 20 minutes before you need a break, but whatever your plan, start slowly, and don’t wait until you are exhausted

Standfirst: 4- to 6-days-a-week mile schedulesAuthor: Sean Fishpool and Steve SmythePics:Issue date: aug01 /panelKeywords:uan64--4-6 days/week   MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUNWEEK 1 Rest or 25-35 mins slow 10 x 100m strides around mile pace, on grass

Standfirst: 4-day-a-week mile schedulesAuthor: Sean Fishpool and Steve SmythePics:Issue date: aug01 /panelKeywords:uan65--4 days a week   MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUNWEEK 1 Rest 3M inc 5 x 100m strides, each faster than the last, to faster

to maintain interest during these build-up weeks, but save the real speedwork for the final eight-week focus.(Approx 45- to 60-minute 10K) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SundayWeek 1 Rest 2M easy, then 4 x 400m, with 400m or 3-min jog